THE HINE CHARGES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10123, 20 October 1910, Page 5

THE HINE CHARGES.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. FURTHER CHARGES TO BE INVESTIGATED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. lu the House of Representatives to-night, the Chairman of the Investigation Committee (Mr. Hanan) presented a report which recommended that the Hine chargos be referred to Supreme Court Judges for investigation and report. He moved that the report lie on the table, and be printed. Sir Joseph Ward restricted his reasons for referring the matter to Judges which he gave before the committee. He pointed out that those who had at "first demanded this course now clamoured against it. Party feeling and bitterness had been imported into the question. Mr. Eraser asked the Premier what was to be referred to the Judges—the Hine charges or something else? Sir Joseph Ward replied that other charges which might be made would also be investigated. Mr. Eraser considered this was an unfair proceeding. Mr. Merries suggested that before submitting the order of reference to the Governor it be placed before the Committee, which could report to the House. Sir Joseph Ward said he did not propose to do this. When the Chief Justice agreed to two Judges being appointed, the Governor would be recommended to make an appointment. Whatever was required to give the Judges the necessary power to investigate and report would be lone. Mr. Russell complained that Sir Joseph Ward's removal of the matter from the Committee was not treating ins party fairly. If the report was adopted no other charges could be investigated, as the report specifically mentioned those charges and no others. The Hon. T. Mackenzie said the Premier was justified in the action he had taken, as the whole basis of the charges had been altered since the names had Feen divulged. The report was adopted, after further discussoin, by 55 to 8.